DEMBA BA’S army of ‘shark’ agents could scupper his move away from Newcastle, even though the Senegal striker is available at a knockdown £7.5million.

Ba is also in danger of facing a Toon Army backlash unless he leaves or quickly commits his future

Ba is also in danger of facing a Toon Army backlash unless he leaves or quickly commits his future to the club.

Ba is wanted by both Chelsea and Arsenal but, despite a clause in his contract allowing him to leave St James’ Park for that relatively small price, he could end up staying unless his agents lower their ‘facilitation’ fees.

West Ham owner David Sullivan criticised Ba’s agents for pocketing £2m when he left to join Newcastle 18 months ago and the same representatives are now making similar demands to both Chelsea and Arsenal.

Although both clubs can easily afford his transfer, they are concerned over the ‘extras’ his numerous agents claim they are owed in order for the move to go ahead in this month’s transfer window.

Ba’s representatives were yesterday branded “sharks” by Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, who claims they do not have the 27-year-old striker’s best interests at heart.

Pardew said: “Demba is a victim of a few sharks around him. I feel a bit sorry for him because there are people out there fuelling this who shouldn’t be involved, and that’s the world we’re in.

“I can’t remember too many situations like this with this level of speculation, and that’s a massive frustration for us.

“We lost Andy Carroll a couple of years ago when we were weaker than we are now. But we’ve coped with it before and we’ll cope with it again.” Ba has been offered improved terms on his current £40,000-a-week deal to stay, as long as he drops the troublesome buy-out clause which was installed when he moved from Upton Park on a free transfer 18 months ago. Pardew believes it is time the striker, who as 13 goals this season, made a decision one way or the other to head off potential discontent from the stands.

Demba is a victim of a few sharks around him. I feel a bit sorry for him because there are people out there fuelling this who shouldn’t be involved, and that’s the world we’re in

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew

Ba faces a mixed reaction from the home fans against Everton tomorrow and Pardew, who has never questioned the player’s commitment on the pitch, said: “It’s difficult for our supporters to really feel Demba is solid with the team with everything that is going on. I can understand it because they love him and want to see him in a black-and-white shirt scoring goals.

“Ideally, he stays. There’s an offer on the table but it’s getting close to the point where we say, ‘No more’. When he plays he’s fully committed to the team, but he could end this whole situation.

“He needs to make a decision in this window fairly early for the sake of the club and the fans. They need to know if he’s going to be with us to the summer.

“Our fans want loyalty. This is a big club and perhaps he needs to make a statement because we’re at an important stage of the season.Demba has never said to me that he wants to leave. But if he feels that our offer isn’t right, what can I do? He can’t be disappointed with the way we’ve treated him. We’ve been brilliant with him and I hope he rewards us by staying for the next couple of years.

In another blow for a Newcastle side who have struggled in recent weeks – they conceded 11 goals in their two festive away games at Manchester United and Arsenal – defender Danny Simpson is out for a month after suffering a broken toe in the 7-3 hammering at the Emirates.

However, long-term injured pair Yohan Cabaye and Steven Taylor are pencilled in to return ahead of schedule for the trip to Norwich on January 12.

Pardew said: “They’re both running around on the training ground and that’s given everyone a lift, so things look a lot healthier.” ‘There are people out there who shouldn’t be involved in situation’